Medical aid

Maj. Mitch Reynolds (right), an Air Force reservist in the 419th Medical Squadron, treats a baby with third-degree burns on his hand in the Philippines last month. Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization, works to send military veterans to the sites of natural disasters so their skills can be put to use. Reynolds is a certified registered nurse anesthetist in his civilian career. (Courtesy photo)

Reservist provides medical aid in Philippines

Published Dec. 20, 2013
By Mary Lou Gorny

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Maj. Mitchell Reynolds, a reservist in the 419th Medical Squadron, left his civilian job as a certified registered nurse anesthetist to provide medical assistance in the Philippines last month following Typhoon Haiyan, the deadly storm that killed more than 6,000 people.

Reynolds joined Team Rubicon, a nonprofit organization that calls on experienced veterans for disaster relief, Nov. 17 in Carigara, where they assembled a group of medical experts and established a surgery facility for typhoon victims.

Reynolds worked 20-hour days performing surgeries and treating everything from infected wounds to amputations to third-degree burns. He also collected and donated toys and clothing items with help from local businesses.

"It was a life changing experience," Reynolds said. "It really opened my eyes and my heart. The feeling of serving without compensation, with just doing it because the people were in need, it made you feel amazing."